yoga and other stuff

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali have been compiled and translated in a variety of places (including here) so this is a brief summary of the yogic path. The sutras don’t talk about stretches or breathing practices, but they create a conversation about how to live your life and the path to achieve self-realization.

1. Yamas (restraints)

Ahimsa or non-violence

Satyam or truthfulness

Brahmacharya or moderation in all things

Asteya or non-stealing

Aparigraha or non-covetousness

2. Niyamas (observances)

Saucha or purity (internal and external)

Santosha or contentment

Tapas or austerity

Swadhyaya or study of sacred texts

Ishwara Pranidhana or self-surrender, willingness to ‘let go’

3. Asanas – postures

4. Pranayama – breath control

5. Pratyahara – withdrawal of senses, stilling the mind

6. Dharana – concentration

7. Dhyana – complete concentration on a thought or an object of meditation